Efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine

The efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study carried out on 33 patients, 20 of whom suffered from classic and 13 from common migraine. Four patients dropped out, but not as a result of the side effects of the drug. The duration of drug treatment was 8 weeks. The dosage used was 30 mg four times daily. Nimodipine proved to be better than placebo, the number of migraine attacks and severity of headache showing a significant reduction. The drug was well tolerated and no marked side effects were noted. The results suggest that nimodipine is a useful new prophylactic drug for migraine, but further studies are needed before its final value can be evaluated.     

Quantitative evaluation of blood loss severity in surgical practice

AIM: To develop a quantitative method of evaluation of the volume and degree of intraoperative blood loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood loss quantitation is based on maximal collection of the lost blood and its measurement by lost globular volume (GV), i.e. erythrocyte containing medium with Ht 1.0. RESULTS: The total of the components of lost GV was termed estimated blood loss (EBL). Its amount was calculated by GV deficiency from the due in the patient and volume of lost blood. The method was tried in surgical and traumatological practice in 317 operated patients (multitrauma--65, hip bone fractures -98, uterine myoma -105, aneurysm of abdominal aortic part -49). CONCLUSION: The volume of blood loss guided the physician to reestablish volume of circulating blood--the volume of infused blood exceeded EBL 1.3-1.7-fold. GV deficiency (in %) showed severity of blood loss and gave approaches to its adequate compensation.     

Histological Method for Evaluation of the Efficiency of Enerlit-Clima

We propose a method of evaluation of anticlimacteric efficiency of a drug by its effect on the estrous cycle. The study was carried out on 9-month-old mice with retained, but notably reduced reproductive function. Analysis of the cell components of the estrous cycle was carried out on histological preparations of vaginal smears.     

Is replication of hepatitis C virus a marker of activity of infectious process? (Findings of polymerase chain reaction and morphological analysis of liver biopsy specimens)

Comparative study of replication markers of hepatitis C virus in various biological substrates and evaluation of activity of chronic HCV infection in liver biopsy specimens showed that replication of hepatitis C virus and the number of HCV-infected hepatocytes did not promote liver damage in chronic hepatitis C. These findings indicate that the expression of antiviral reactions by liver parenchyma cells plays the key role in the morphogenesis of HCV infection.     

The ultrastructural localization of NO-synthase NADPH diaphorase in a peripheral nerve and its change in diphtheritic polyneuropathy

Light and electron microscopy was used to study the distribution and changes of NADPH-diaphorase in the cutaneous nerve biopsy specimens in different periods of diphtheritic polyneuropathy (DP). there was a reduction in the reaction rate of the enzyme in Schwann's cells of the destructively changed nerve fibers and an increase in the remyelinated nerve fibers. The enzyme is located on the nuclear and endoplasmic reticulum membranes and ribosomes. It is suggested that there is an association of the synthesis of nitric oxide with the myelin-producing function of Schwann's cells.     

Quantitative study of the osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the bones of rats during the simulation of weightlessness

Tibia and vertebrae of rats exposed to hypokinesia or head-down suspension were investigated by quantitative histomorphometry. It was found that 35- and 60-day hypokinesia as well as 35-day suspension caused osteoporosis in the tibial and vertebral spongiosa. The development of osteoporosis was accompanied by a significant reduction in the number of osteoblasts in the primary spongiosa of tibia and vertebrae whereas no noticeable changes in osteoclasts were observed either in hypokinetic or suspended rats. The only exception was lumbar vertebrae in which the amount of osteoclasts decreased as a result of 60-day hypokinesia. It is assumed that the reduction in the number and activity of osteoblasts plays the major part in the development of osteoporosis during hypokinesia and suspension.